August 2025 was anything but boring. From toothpaste-flavored desserts to sneakers dripping in nostalgia, brands pulled out their boldest ideas to stay on top of feeds — and in our heads.
Here are the five ads that truly owned the month.
1) Coca-Cola: The Logo That Crushed Itself
Coca-Cola smashed its own logo in a global billboard campaign that doubled as a sustainability flex. The message? Recycle me. Simple, striking, impossible to miss.
Why it worked:
- The visual metaphor landed instantly
- Award-winning creative boosted PR value
- Put eco-criticism back in Coke’s hands
- Worked across markets without translation
💡 Trend highlight: Sustainability needs a show. Eco-messaging is most effective when it’s bold and theatrical.
2) KFC Spain x Licor del Polo: Toothpaste Ice Cream
A fast-food giant and a toothpaste brand walk into a bar… and out comes a strawberry toothpaste sundae topped with candy teeth. Limited-edition, surreal, and utterly meme-able.
Why it worked:
- The absurdity generated free media buzz
- Insta/TikTok gold: a product you have to post
- Pushed KFC beyond the chicken box
- Showed humor still drives virality
💡 Trend highlight: Unlikely collabs = instant shareability. Weird is working.
3) Revlon: A Lipstick Holiday That Lasted a Month
National Lipstick Day (July 29) turned into a full month of beauty activations. From a Guy Fieri Flavortown collab to a charitable donation drive, Revlon turned a consumer holiday into a cultural moment.
Why it worked:
- Extended a 1-day event into a 4-week campaign
- Mixed fun (Guy Fieri) with purpose (cancer support donations)
- Activated multiple audiences across channels
- Kept Revlon top of mind during a key sales period
💡 Trend highlight: Consumer “holidays” are gold. Stretch them out, add purpose, and they become campaigns.
4) Tourism Australia: Come and Say G’day (Chapter Two)
Australia went global again — but this time, local. The country’s latest tourism push cast different celebrities for different markets: Robert Irwin for the US, Nigella Lawson for the UK, Sara Tendulkar for India, Yosh Yu for China, Abareru-kun for Japan.
Why it worked:
- Personalization: one size did not fit all
- Big names added credibility and reach
- Gorgeous visuals sold Australia as lifestyle, not just location
Continued momentum from Chapter One
💡 Trend highlight: Global brands are going local. Tailored faces and voices matter more than one universal ad.
5) Balenciaga: Sneakers in the Hamptons
Collier Schorr’s campaign for Balenciaga’s new sneakers dripped with 90s Americana nostalgia — tennis courts, sun-bleached tones, sporty ennui. It wasn’t about shoes. It was about mood.
Why it worked:
- Aesthetic that screams save to Pinterest
- Nostalgia makes fashion feel timeless
- Minimal text, maximal vibe
- Proved that mood > product when selling luxury
💡 Trend highlight: Nostalgia is the hook. Retro looks still capture modern audiences.
What August 2025’s Best Ads Tell Us
- Spectacle sells sustainability. Coke showed that eco-messaging works when it’s daring.
- Weird collabs win. Toothpaste ice cream proves absurd partnerships spark conversation.
- Stretch the holiday. Revlon turned one day into a month of sales + goodwill.
- Think global, act local. Tourism Australia nailed personalization by market.
- Nostalgia works across categories. Balenciaga leaned on memory to sell sneakers.
👉 Takeaway for marketers:
Don’t just advertise — create a moment. Whether it’s through sustainability with flair, meme-worthy collabs, or nostalgic vibes, the winners of August showed that the best campaigns are equal parts bold, emotional, and made-for-sharing.
